Disney begins ABC staff cuts

The Walt Disney Company has begun a round of staff cuts that will see up to 200 Disney-ABC Television Group staff lost their jobs.

Disney has been looking to make saving of around 10% in annual costs and it was expected around 300 jobs could go. However, the figure is likely to be less.

Most of the 100-200 affected roles will be in operations at the ABC network, cable channels Freeform and The Disney Channel, and production studio.

Ben Sherwood

According to the LA Times, no high level TV positions are expected to go, and sports network ESPN will avoid cuts, though it has undergone two rounds of restructuring in recent times.

Disney-ABC chief Ben Sherwood has promised Disney CEO Bob Iger he can significantly reduce costs.

Income at the company’s media and networks in its third fiscal quarter came in below analyst expectations.

Earlier this month, Iger confirmed he would exit his role in 2019.

Disney’s US operation couldn’t be contacted before press time.